Human towing device and sports based on the device

ABSTRACT

Glided sporting activities can be performed by pulling a person associated with a glide element. The pulling is performed with a stationary motor connected to a spool that winds a rope having a handle or harness at one end. An operator controls the speed and braking. The towing device has a brake and throttle to control the rotation of the spool of rope. A rope guide guides the ropes motion at the front of the towing device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to sports performed using a tow rope connected to a stationary motor driven winch to propel the participant. More particularly, the sport participant is generally glided with a board, skis, skate or the like. Furthermore, the invention relates to a towing device with a rope connected to a motorized spool for propelling a person.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many sports involve the participant traveling at significant speeds. Generally, the speed is supplied by the force of gravity or through being towed by a vehicle. For example, a snow skier or snow boarder is propelled by gravity down a hill. On the other hand, a water skier is propelled with a motor boat. Thus, these sports cannot be practiced without the availability of a hill or a body of water large enough for a motor boat to drive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention pertains to a method for performing a glided sporting activity, the method comprising pulling a person associated with a glide element. The pulling activity is performed with a stationary motor connected to a spool that winds a rope having a handle at one end gripped by the person or having a harness attached to the person. An operator controls the speed and braking. The gearing can be selected to pull the person at a speed suitable for the sport.

In a further aspect, the invention pertains to a human towing device comprising a frame, a motor, a spool assembly, a drive assembly, a rope, a rope guide and a brake. The frame comprises a front support element. The motor has at least about 5 horse power and a throttle to control the motor speed. The spool assembly comprises a spool, an axle, a mount and a drive assembly. The axle is fixed to rotate with the spool. The mount is connected to the frame and engages the axle in a rotatable configuration relative to the frame. The drive element operably connects the motor to the axle. The drive element operably connects the motor to the spool. The rope comprises a handle or harness at a first end. The rope is connected to the spool at a second end. The rope guide comprises an opening. The rope guide is supported by the front support element. The rope extends through the opening. The brake is configured to stop the rotation of the spool.

In another aspect, the invention pertains to a sporting course comprising a corridor having a grade of no more than 10% and a stationary towing device configured to pull a person with a glide element along the corridor using a rope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic prospective diagram showing a person on a glide holding a rope connected to a tow device.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a first specific embodiment of a tow device.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the tow device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a first side perspective view of the tow device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a second side perspective view of the tow device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a photographic side view of the tow device of FIG. 2 with the view corresponding to FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a photographic side view of the tow device of FIG. 2 with the view corresponding to FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a second specific embodiment of the tow device.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the tow device of FIG. 8 with the top lid removed to expose the interior components.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the tow device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the tow device of FIG. 8 with the lid propped open.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the tow device of FIG. 8 with the lid and brake element removed for viewing of the other components.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective photograph of an alternative embodiment with wheels and a handle placed on a tow device similar to the device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is a side perspective photograph of the tow device of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a course built around a tow device as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A new era of sports is built around the ability to tow a person from a stationary point at a reasonable speed to perform a sporting activity with the participant on a glide, such as a board, ski, skate or a sled. The activity can be performed, for example, on water, snow or a relatively smooth hard surface. A specially designed stationary winch can be used to pull the person. The winch generally has a motor to drive a spool around which a rope is wound as the person is pulled. In this way, a wide range of conventional sports can be performed at locations where the sport would not have been otherwise available, and a range of new sports can be performed that were not possible without the specially designed tow device. In some embodiments, the winch is portable for easy transport to a selected location, while in other embodiments, the winch is anchored for long term use at a particular location.

A wide range of sports can be performed using the human towing device described herein. A selected sport is performed on a course aligned with the towing device such that the towing device pulls the person along the course. The course provides a suitable surface for the person to glide. A wide range of glide structures can be suitable, which should be selected to be appropriate for the course. The participant uses their balance to direct themselves along the course as they are pulled. Examples of suitable water activities include, for example, water boarding, water skiing, snow skiing, surfboarding, wakeboarding, wake skating, snowboarding, kite boarding, skim boarding, mountain boarding, skate boarding or kayaking. Similarly, a person can be pulled in a wheel chair to extend the sporting experience to disabled individuals.

An operator can control the towing device. In general, the operator can control the speed of the device, which can be adjusted appropriately to accelerate the person safely according to the expectation of the particular sport. In some embodiments, the person is pulled at speeds of at least 10 miles per hour during a portion of the activity, and in other embodiments at least about 20 miles per hour, although a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges of speed within these explicit ranges are contemplated and included herein. Also, the operator generally controls a brake so that the rope pulling the person can be stopped. The brake provides a safety device, for example, to avoid dragging a fallen person, as well as to stop the person before the reach the tow device.

In some embodiments, the sporting activity is performed with the person propelled along a water course. The water course can be a natural stream bed, a man-made water course, a small body of water or a section of a larger body of water. A man-made water course can be formed, for example, with a trench lined with a thick plastic sheet and filled with water or with an above ground water structure, although any other suitable approach can be used to form a man-made water course. A small body of water can be used that is too small for the safe operation of a motor boat. Also, a section of a larger body of water can be used since the towing device can provide a less expensive alternative to a motor boat as well as a different sporting experience relative to being pulled by a motor boat. Suitable glides for water include, for example, surf boards, water skis, water boards, wake boards, skim boards, kite boards, kayaks or the like.

In other embodiments, the sporting activity is performed with the person propelled on a course covered with snow. The snow can be natural snow, artificial snow or a combination thereof. The snow can be along the natural lie of the land, or the snow can be pilled on a man-made platform. Similarly, the snow may or may not be contoured to form a different experience. The towing device replaces the need to have a hill to propel the person. In some snow embodiments or other embodiments, the average incline along the course is no more than about 10 degrees and in further embodiments no more than about 5 degrees, and the maximum incline may be no more than about 15 degrees and in further embodiments no more than about 10 degrees. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges of inclines within the explicit ranges are contemplated and are within the present disclosure. Suitable glides for snow sports include, for example, snow boards, snow skis, mountain boards, sleds, luge or the like.

In general, a range of sports can be adapted for new types of sports based on the towing device. A range of sports are intended to be performed on hard surface using the strength of the participant to propel the person at least for portions of the activity. For example, ice skating, roller skating, roller blading, skate boarding and the like generally involve the participant propelling themselves forward. In at least some of these activities, the surface may be contoured so that the performer can due tricks and use gravity for a portion of the time to increase their speed. The course can comprise a corridor formed from ice, wood, concrete, asphalt or other suitable construction material. The corridor can be flat or contoured and level or slightly sloped. In some embodiments, the overall grade of the course is no more than about 10%, in other embodiments no more than about 5% and in further embodiments no more than about 3%, although a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges within these explicit ranges are contemplated. These sports can be adapted to use the towing device to propel the person. The course can be appropriately adapted for pulling the person along the course with the tow device.

The human towing device generally is fixed at a stationary position for operation and uses a rope to transfer power to the person on a glide. Referring to FIG. 1, towing device 100 interfaces with sport participant 102, who is associated with a glide device 104. In general, sport participant 102 can be an adult or child of either gender. Sport participant 102 may or may not wear a helmet as well as any other safety equipment suitable for the particular sport, such as gloves and padding. Glide 104 generally is selected for the particular surface of the course, such as water, snow, ice or hard surface. Suitable glides are described above with respect to the particular surfaces. In general, suitable glides are known in the art and are commercially available, although new versions are in continuous development.

Towing device 100 comprises a frame assembly 110, a motor 112, a spool assembly 114, transmission 116, and rope 118. In general, frame 110 holds spool 114 stationary but free to rotate during the performance of the sporting activity. If the frame has wheels, the frame can be attached to a more massive structure such as a stationary vehicle or an anchor to hold the frame in place during the activity. Thus, in some embodiments, the tow device is portable. In other embodiments, the wheels can be removed, locked or otherwise disengaged so that the frame does not roll when the motor is engaged. In some embodiments, the frame can be anchored with pins or brackets to the ground or a platform after being place at a desired location. Frame 110 has a rope guide 120 to direct the rope in a stable position past the front of the frame as well as to facilitate proper rolling up of the rope during use. Rope guide 120 can have one or more rollers with bearings or other low friction mounts so that the rope can feed through the rope guide without significant friction. The rope guide can be attached to the frame to hold the rope guide from about 2.5 feet to about 6 feet from the ground when the tow device is positioned for operation.

Motor 112 can be an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine. However, significant developments in the automotive industry of electric motors and fuel cells can lead to the availability of alternative motor formats that would be suitable replacements for a gasoline engine. In general, it is desirable for the engine to have a power of at least about 5 horse power, in further embodiments at least about 6 horse power and in other embodiments at least about 6.5 horse power. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges of motor power within the explicit ranges above are contemplated and are within the present disclosure.

Spool 114 is appropriate to hold rope 118 as the rope is wound by the motor. The size of spool 14 should be consistent with the size of rope 118. For example, in some embodiments, the core of the spool can be from about 4 inches to about 16 inches, although a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges within this range are contemplated. In general, the size of the spool is influenced by the length of the rope. The spool has a rotating mount to secure spool 114 to frame 110 while allowing spool 114 to rotate. Spool 114 also has a connection 122 for attachment to transmission 116. Connection can be a gear for connection to a chain, a wheel for connection to a drive belt or the like. Spool 114 is also generally attached to a brake, such as a disk brake.

Transmission 116 is used to transfer power from motor 112 to spool 114. Suitable transmissions include both manual and automatic transmissions. For example, suitable manual transmissions include, for example, a centrifugal clutch that engages the clutch to power the gears once the rpm of the motor reaches an appropriate value. Thus, at idle speed of the motor, the spool can be rotated freely since the clutch is disengaged. Suitable automatic transmissions include, for example, continuously variable transmission. The continuously variable transmission can be adapted to change from a 1 to 90 ratio at startup to a 1 to 1 ratio in the transmission once a threshold in rpm is reached. Commercially available continuously variable transmissions are available from Comet™.

The transmission controls power delivery from the motor to the spool. In some embodiments, this power delivery involves rotation of a gear that rotates a chain that drives another gear attached to the spool. For these embodiments, the gear ratio can be selected between the drive gear sprocket and the spool gear sprocket to provide the appropriate power, acceleration and ultimate speed for the tow rope. The gears and chain can be replaced with drive wheels and a belt or with directly meshed gears or with any other suitable drive mechanism.

Rope 118 is attached at a first end to spool 118, and the second end of rope 118 has a handle 130 or harness to connect to the sport participant. A suitable handle can be used that can be gripped by a person. In some embodiments, handle 130 has a tube 132 over the rope with a gripping surface. Any suitable harness can be used. A wide range of harnesses are available such as the harness disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,700 to Cox, entitled “Safety Harness,” incorporated herein by reference. However, suitable harnesses do not necessarily have a leg component since the harness generally does not fully support the weight of the person. The rope can be selected to have a suitable length for the particular sport, and the other components can be designed to match the needs for a selected rope length. In general, the rope can have a length greater than about 500 feet, and in other embodiments, the rope can have a length greater than 1000 feet.

A first specific embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2-7. FIGS. 6 and 7 are photographs depicting the device shown in line drawings of FIGS. 2-5, in which FIG. 7 shows the device supported by the tow hitch of a vehicle. In particular, tow device 150 comprises a frame 152, a spool assembly 154, a motor 156, and a drive assembly 158. Frame 152 comprises a base platform 170, hitch attachment 172, risers 174, 176, rope guide 178, which is roller fairlead, and bearing assemblies 180, 182.

Spool assembly 154 comprises spool 190, axle 192, gear sprocket 194 and disk brake 196. Axle 192 is fixedly attached to spool 190 and engages bearing assemblies 180, 182 at its respective ends so that the axle can be supported by frame 152 while having the ability to rotate relative to frame 152. Gear sprocket 194 is fixedly attached to axle 192 with 65-74 teeth. Brake disk 196 fixedly attached to axle 192. Brake element 198 is welded to the frame at extension 200 and engages brake disk 196. Movement of brake lever 202 actuates brake element 198 to engage the brake. Brake disk and brake element 198 are parts of a Weldman™ brake assembly from Azusa, part 8236, which is adapted for this use.

Motor 154 is a 6.5 horse power Briggs & Stratton™ gasoline engine with a drive shaft that engages drive assembly 158, motor 154 comprises a manual throttle 204. Drive assembly 158 comprises a centrifugal clutch 210, a sprocket, and a drive chain 212. Drive chain 212 connects the sprocket of drive assembly 158 with gear sprocket 194.

A second specific embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8-14. Tow device 250 comprises a frame 252, a spool assembly 254, a motor 256, and a drive assembly 258. Frame 252 comprises a bottom platform 270, side panels 272, 274, front panel 276, back panel 278 and top lid 280. Frame 252 is constructed of steel, although other metal, fiberglass or the like could be used.

Bottom platform 270 supports the other components. Side panels 272, 274 are attached to bottom platform 270 and surround the moving components from the side of the device. Side panel 272 has a slot 282 through which the brake lever extends. Front panel 274 connects with side panels 272, 274 as well as bottom platform 270. A rope guide 284 is attached to front panel 274. The rope guide is a roller fairlead. Back panel 278 attaches to side panels 272, 274 and to bottom platform 270. Back panel 278 shields the back of tow device 250, and hitch attachment 286 extends from bottom platform 270 back beyond back panel 278. Hitch attachment 286 is welded or otherwise securely connected to bottom platform 270. Hitch attachment 286 provides for attachment to a vehicle tow hitch. Top lid 280 is attached with hinges 288, 290 so that top lid 280 can be opened to provide access to the drive and spool for maintenance or checking of the operation of the device. Bearing assemblies 292, 294 are attached to the interior of side panels 272, 274 with bolts. Bearing assemblies 292, 294 engage spool assembly 254 to provide low friction rotation of the spool.

Spool assembly 254 comprises spool 300, axle 302, sprocket 304, and brake disk 306. Axle 302 fixedly attached to spool 300, which engages bearing assemblies 292, 294 at its respective ends so that the axle can be supported by frame 252 while having the ability to rotate relative to frame 252. Gear sprocket 304 is also fixedly attached to axle 302 with 65-74 teeth, and brake disk 306 fixedly attached to axle 302. Brake element 310 is welded to side panel 272 and engages brake disk 306. Movement of brake lever 312 actuates brake element 310 to engage brake disk 306. Brake disk 306 and brake element 310 are parts of a Weldman™ brake assembly from Azusa, part 8236, which is adapted for this use.

Motor 256 is a 7.0 horse power gasoline engine with a manual throttle 320. Motor 256 has a drive shaft that engages drive assembly 258. Drive assembly 258 comprises a Tva Comet™ Torque Converter 322 with a 12 tooth sprocket 324 and a drive chain 326. Torque Converter 322 has a built in automatic clutch 328. Drive chain 326 engages gear sprocket 304 to rotate spool 300.

FIGS. 13 and 14 depict an alternative embodiment to the tow device of FIG. 8. In the variation in FIGS. 13 and 14 the device is mounted on two wheels, and a handle can be used to raise the back end to move the device on the wheels. The wheels can be removed to use the stationary tow device, or the handle and/or frame can be anchored to prevent movement of the wheels during use.

Tow device 250 has several improvements over tow device 150, although tow device 150 functions safely and more than adequately in many applications. Tow device 250 has a covered spool and drive assembly to reduce the risk of injury, a larger spool to hold more rope and a more powerful engine.

As noted above, the winch can be made portable, or the winch can be anchored at a particular location for long term use. It may be particularly desirable to anchor the device at a location where a corresponding course is set up for use by a steady group of participants. In general, a course comprises a winch and a corridor in which the corridor is traveled by the user when pulled by the winch. A particular, facility can comprise a plurality of courses which may or may not be of the same type. For example, some of the facilities can be water based activities while others are on a hard surface. For commercial operations, one or more approaches can be used for charging patrons, such as a charge per run, a charge for limited or unlimited use for a day or a charge for specific levels of usage over a year or season.

A course 400 is schematically shown in FIG. 15. Course 400 comprises a corridor 402 that has a surface 404 conducive for the particular sporting activity. The length of corridor 402 is generally consistent with the length of a tow rope 406. A towing device 408 is aligned to pull a person along the corridor with tow rope 406.

For water-based activities, a corridor can be set up by digging a trench or other hole or by building an above ground facility. The trench or other structure can be lined with a water proof material such as a plastic sheet, tar, asphalt or other suitable material. For snow-based activities, the corridor can be positioned along natural ground contours are the ground can be contoured to form the corridor. Furthermore, for snow-based activities, the corridor can be positioned along a built up structure. Suitable snow making machines can be placed in appropriate locations to deposit snow along the corridor. Similarly, hard surface corridors can be formed using conventional building approaches. A hard surface corridor may or may not be flat and may or may not be level.

In general, the winch is positioned to pull the person along the corridor. In general, the winch can be positioned near the end of a straight path down the corridor. The path down the corridor can veer around a straight path as the person transits down the path due to contours in the surface or purposeful motions of the participant.

The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are within the claims. In addition, although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. 

1. A method for performing a glided sporting activity, the method comprising pulling a person associated with a glide element wherein the pulling is performed with a stationary motor connected to a spool that winds a rope having a handle at one end gripped by the person or having a harness attached to the person, wherein an operator controls the speed and braking.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sport is water boarding, water skiing, snow skiing, surfboarding, wakeboarding, wake skating, snowboarding, kite boarding, skim boarding, mountain boarding, skate boarding or kayaking.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the speed is at least about 10 miles per hour.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the person is pulled along a surface with a grade of no more than about 10 degrees.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the motor in an internal combustion engine with at least about 5 horse power.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein an operator applies a brake to stop the rotation of the spool.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein operator adjusts the speed of the spool with a manual throttle.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the spool is mounted on a frame comprising a rope guide connected to an extension to hold the rope guide from about 2.5 feet to about 6 feet from the ground.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the sport is a water sport.
 10. A human towing device comprising: a frame comprising a front support element; a motor having at least about 5 horse power and a throttle to control the motor speed; a spool assembly comprising a spool, an axle fixed to rotate with the spool, a mount connected to the frame that engages the axle in a rotatable configuration relative to the frame, and drive element operably connecting the motor to the axle; a rope comprising a handle or a harness at a first end, wherein the rope is connected to the spool at a second end; a rope guide comprising an opening, wherein the rope guide is supported by the front support element and wherein the rope extends through the opening; and a brake to stop the rotation of the spool.
 11. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the frame has attached wheels and a handle for attachment to a vehicle towing hitch, wherein the rope guide is oriented to hold the section of the rope from 2.5 feet to 6 feet vertically relative to the ground.
 12. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the frame has a resting surface to support the frame at a stationary location wherein the rope guide is oriented to hold the section of the rope from 2.5 feet to 6 feet vertically relative to the resting surface.
 13. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the frame comprises a mount to secure the device on a vehicle towing hitch suspended from the ground, wherein the rope guide is oriented to hold the section of the rope from 2.5 feet to 6 feet vertically relative to the ground support when the device is suspended on a 2006 General Motors pick up trunk.
 14. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the motor is an internal combustion engine.
 15. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the motor has at least about 5 horse power.
 16. The human towing device of claim 10 further comprising a cover over the spool and drive assembly.
 17. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the drive assembly comprises a centrifugal clutch or a continuously variable transmission.
 18. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the rope comprises a handle and wherein the handle comprises a loop or rope with tube over a portion of the loop, the tube comprising a gripping surface.
 19. The human towing device of claim 10 wherein the motor is mounted on the frame.
 20. The human towing device of claim 10 further comprising a clutch wherein the spool freely rotates with the clutch in neutral when the motor is at idle speeds.
 21. A sporting course comprising a corridor having a grade of no more than 10% and a stationary towing device configured to pull a person with a glide element along the corridor using a rope. 